2. Ed Reed, FS (Miami) 24th Overall Pick
Ed Reed recorded 64 interceptions, broke plenty of records and is going to be a first ballot Hall of Famer; yet 23 teams passed on him? The Ravens got Reed in the first round, but he was still a steal. Go back to the 2002 draft and find me a player better than Reed…you cannot do it. You had some great players in that draft. Julius Peppers and Dwight Freeney were amazing. But neither of them held a candle to the greatness of Reed.
Napoleon Harris was taken before Reed. Now if you’re thinking who is Napoleon Harris… that is exactly my point. Reed put up numbers that should only happen in a season of Madden with the setting turned to Pro. I mean these numbers are impossible to produce for 99% of people. Reed was greater than any free safety ever to play the game. He changed the game.
When the Ravens have the 24th pick nobody is thinking about getting an all time great player. In the first round you usually draft long time starters. But future Hall of Fame players falling to the late first round, now that’s a steal.
Next: 1. Ray Lewis